Please or to access all these features

Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Ottie or Clara

90 replies

Pippinthepup · 15/12/2021 15:50

I am six months pregnant with my first dd and am stuck between Ottie and Clara for a name. Ottie was always my first choice but I recently came across the name Clara and thought it was really pretty- my dh prefers Ottie but I think he’s warming to Clara as well- my only worry with Ottie is that people might not get the spelling straight away. Was just wondering if anyone has any opinions/experience of either names

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
ESGdance · 15/12/2021 16:11

Ottoline is a fabulous name - usually Ottilie is the shortened name which is pretty. The Lady Ottoline is a great pub in Bloomsbury named after an Edwardian patron of the arts.

Not sure about Ottie though personally.

Clara is also classic and cute.

BourbonScreams · 15/12/2021 16:09

@Classica Grin Grin

OP, personally I love Clara. I do think Ottie is cute, but I don't think it sounds like a girls name. That doesn't necessarily matter. Ottilie as suggested upthread is far nicer to me.

DukkaTheHallsWithBoughsOfHolly · 15/12/2021 16:08

Ottie? Is that even a name, I’ve never heard of it. Sounds like a shortening for something or saying Otter wrong.

Clara.

Pippinthepup · 15/12/2021 16:05

@StrawberryFever I do like Ottilie but I think it’s gaining popularity and I suppose I wanted something a bit more unique

OP posts:
Pippinthepup · 15/12/2021 16:04

@SummaLuvin Clara is such a lovely name! It would be pronounced hottie without the H

OP posts:
StrawberryFever · 15/12/2021 16:02

What about Ottilie with Ottie as a nickname? Sorry, but I don't like Ottie as a given name (though I think it's fine as a nickname)

StruggleStreet · 15/12/2021 16:01

What about Ottilie instead of Ottie?

thewhatsit · 15/12/2021 15:59

Clara

Classica · 15/12/2021 15:58

Clara by several country miles.

Ottie sounds like a man's nickname. I can imagine a 5-aside football team made up of blokes called Gary, Big Dave, James, Fingers and Ottie

SummaLuvin · 15/12/2021 15:57

Clara is on my list, I really like it.

I’m not familiar with Ottie. Do you say it like ‘hottie’ but without the ‘h’ or more like Oaty? I would instinctively say the first, but I’m not particularly good with pronunciations.

Different people have different priorities, but for me it being an instantly spellabe name is not a big deal - many common names have multiple accepted spellings and need to be spelt out anyway (Catherine, Clare…). So that wouldn’t be a deal break on Ottie for me personally.

RobinPenguins · 15/12/2021 15:54

Much prefer Clara

minipie · 15/12/2021 15:53

Really really not keen on Ottie.

So Clara, by a country mile.

Comedycook · 15/12/2021 15:53

Clara definitely

succession · 15/12/2021 15:53

Ottie sounds dreadful with a glottal stop too

succession · 15/12/2021 15:52

Clara!